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a message and they can instantly reply. Instant messaging allows people to connect in conversation form with little delay in response.

Forums can also be used as a way of communication. Forum responses can take much longer than the previous mentioned chat and instant messaging. Forums allow people to ask questions they need to find answers to, connect with people of similar interests or hobbies, etc. When you begin a topic in a forum it is known as a thread. It may take days or weeks before another member replies to your thread with an answer better known as a post. Forums will require membership in order to contribute to the threads and posts. Some forums are free to join while others will charge a fee. Forums often offer the chance to add people to a friends list. This function allows you to find new posts made by those people and may be able to communicate with them by private messages or email directly from the forum. Forums are springing up everywhere and on many subjects. In the early days of Internet communication forums were very popular.

Each of these subjects discussed allows people to connect and communicate on the Internet. Each is similar but different in some ways. The best choice for your communicating needs will depend on how soon you need a reply and the type of communication you want to do. Each of these methods has benefits as well as pitfalls. Choose the method that works best for you.

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